CREFC’s Women’s Network celebrates milestone year with full-day program focused on leadership, professional development, and the future of CRE finance
NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The CRE Finance Council (CREFC), the trade association representing the over $6 trillion commercial real estate finance industry, will host its 10th Annual Finance Forward Symposium on October 1, 2026, in New York City. The full-day event will bring together commercial real estate finance professionals for insights into industry trends, professional development, networking, and mentoring.
Hosted by CREFC’s Women’s Network, the Finance Forward Symposium is designed to provide a platform for professionals at all stages of their careers to connect with peers and mentors, enhance their skills and stay ahead of the changes shaping the commercial real estate finance industry.
“Reaching the 10th year of the Women’s Network Symposium is an exciting milestone and a testament to the value of bringing our industry together to learn, connect and grow,” said Jeehae Lee, Senior Managing Director and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Bridge Investment Group and 2026-2027 CREFC Women’s Network Chair. “This year’s program offers a great mix of timely market insights, practical professional development, and opportunities to build meaningful connections with colleagues and mentors. I look forward to welcoming industry professionals from across the industry for a day focused on navigating what’s next in commercial real estate finance.”
The day will feature a diverse program addressing both the business of commercial real estate finance and the skills needed to navigate an evolving industry. Featured sessions include:
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The Art of Human Intelligence: From Reading Signals to Resolving Conflict: A keynote presentation by Evy Poumpouras, former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, interrogator and NBC News law enforcement and national security analyst. Drawing on more than 12 years with the Secret Service, including assignments protecting U.S. presidents and service in the agency’s elite polygraph unit, Poumpouras will share insights on communication, leadership, psychology, resilience and navigating high-stakes situations.
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Table Talks: Elevating Your CRE Career: A fast-paced, moderator-led rotation of roundtables designed for professionals at every level to exchange ideas, build connections and gain practical insights.
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Market Crossroads: The Evolution of CRE Finance: A discussion examining how a rapidly evolving CRE lending environment ─ shaped by higher rates, liquidity and regulatory shifts, and new competitors ─ is driving the rise of creative capital and deal structures, and how market participants are navigating cash flow stress and distress to get transactions done.
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A Mosaic of Stories: Reimagining Space: A conversation exploring adaptive reuse and redevelopment ─ from uncovering hidden value in underutilized assets and navigating regulatory complexity, to structuring deals, solving design constraints, and applying real-world lessons to bring challenging projects successfully to life.
